Madam, – Carol Coulter draws attention to the backlog in the Garda vetting unit (Home News, April 1st). We would like to highlight the effect this is having on volunteering. Our volunteer centres, which provide access to Garda vetting for volunteers in non-profit and community and voluntary organisations, are experiencing delays of about 12 weeks in getting applications processed – even longer in some cases. The backlog presents a significant barrier to volunteering, precisely at a time when we should be encouraging and supporting those who want to volunteer. We would support additional resources being provided to the vetting unit to undertake these important duties.
Unrelated to Garda vetting, another significant barrier to volunteering is the misconception that those claiming welfare are not able to volunteer. A message from the Department of Social and Family Affairs to social welfare offices around the country clarifying the situation would go a long way to creating a more enabling environment for volunteering. 2011 is European Year of Volunteering. Now more than ever, it’s vital the Government plays its part in dismantling barriers to volunteering so that those who want to engage with community, are supported in doing so. – Yours, etc,